Chapter 30 - Retribution (3)
The minor incident that unfolded where Reina was staying was just the kind of thing for the gallery users watching it to chuckle over. It wasn't anything grand, but it was plenty to spark their interest.
"What's going on?"
"...Looks like someone's yelling at the staff?"
Shadis craned her neck at Reina's words, glancing cautiously. It was definitely that quasi-ranker Crow who'd arrived here this morning, flanked by a woman who seemed to be his aide, berating the people around him.
Figures.
Reina leaned in a bit closer, eavesdropping on the raised voices, then let out a small sigh. Even if this place operated under wildly different rules and laws from her original worlds, the tower was still a place where people lived. Problems from the outside world could crop up here too. Especially a strongman bullying the weak—it fit right into the tower's vibe where might made right, happening more frequently and brazenly than anywhere else.
"So what's that idiot's beef?"
"Well, he's furious they won't sell him the last watch. But it's already reserved, so we..."
Reina called over a nearby staff member to get the details. The employee, catching her eye, whispered quickly—as if hoping she'd step in and wrap this up.
"That punk isn't scared of Federation sanctions or what?"
Reina snorted at the petty reason. Businesses like this department store in the residential zones were naturally generated by the tower and sustained through fierce bidding wars among resident companies. It was a form of economic activity everyone—residents and challengers alike—had agreed on for the good of all. Even top rankers didn't openly flout Federation laws. For someone like Crow, not even on the official rankings, to throw a tantrum like this? It screamed ego trip.
"What do we do?"
"Annoying as it is, no one's wasting my time without payback."
Reina smirked at Shadis's question and slipped off her sunglasses. With the confidence that even Crow couldn't blame her if he had a shred of conscience, she started walking over, hands shoved in her pockets. As her footsteps echoed steadily, the flustered staff's expressions shifted by the second.
"Y-you're..."
Finally, sensing the weird vibe, Crow turned—and froze. The guy who'd been freely shouting at the staff suddenly went speechless, mouth flapping open and shut.
That evening, after parting with Shadis and returning to the hotel, I finished my bedtime routine and flopped onto the bed to check the gallery right away. Sure enough, it was buzzing over today's events.
It was supposed to be a chill vibe otherwise.
Things had been mellow during my brief downtime with Shadis, but the department store blowup had everyone hyped.
The comments on the video of my clash with Crow were cheering how I'd crushed his authority and strength trip with my own, while some admitted they hadn't expected me to get involved. Truth was, I usually didn't bother with stuff like this. Avoiding hassle was priority one, and I hated drawing unnecessary eyes or creating variables.
But half the reason I'd stepped in today, after hearing the situation, was them. I'd been lurking the gallery, noting their gripes about me. Not that I'd change myself to fit their fantasies—that wasn't what they really wanted. Just... compromising a bit.
As the popular comments showed, tossing them more bait would keep the gallery lively and draw in fresh users. If it helped everyone, I'd do it.
"Ugh."
I flinched at another post. After shutting down that punk Crow and watching him and his crew slink off red-faced, the suddenly super-enthusiastic staff swarmed me. They wanted to repay their savior, and with Shadis fanning the flames, I couldn't just browse—I ended up pulling out my wallet.
Wear women's clothes and doll up like a girl? Me?
Money wasn't an issue. I bought a ton, but with staff buzzing everywhere and Shadis meddling, it was chaos—I barely remember what I grabbed. The problem? Those purchases were everyday stuff sold in residential zones.
It'd been a while since possessing this body in this world. No denying it was mine now, but acting the full girly girl? Different story.
Tower climbing was urgent now—no time for primping amid training. But excuses like that were wearing thin. The gallery wanted more from me.
Just... a little more time.
I nervously bit my nail. Uploading my own pics would take even more mental prep.
"Yeah, this is the info they crave."
Time flew browsing the gallery. Beyond the heated debates on outfits that suited me, one user dropped fresh news—on my assassination contract.
The details were as shocking as the reactions. Assassin Gallery constellations had already roped in five hitmen, sending them to Layer 35 for me. Five? Even the users seemed thrown—it wasn't normal scale.
Serpina posted almost right away, soothing users and laying out the sitch. They were prepping and moving for me in their own way.
Oracle megaphone: Their exclusive item to relay a constellation's voice to contractors once without a sanctuary visit. Serpina planned to use it to pass on intel gathered from Fate Road users.
I logged off and woke up, hoping she'd use it ASAP.
"Ahh, can you hear me?"
Sure enough, as I casually rose and gazed at the night view from the window, Serpina's voice rang in my ear.
"What's this about?"
"In emergencies, I can reach out first at a cost."
My acting sucked as always, but I faked surprise. Serpina didn't care, rushing ahead without hiding the urgency.
"Danger's closing in. It's almost here."
"Still can't say what kind?"
"Tch... you know that."
I already did, but she gritted out her frustration like it was real.
"Head upstairs. Stay with your trusted guildmates—don't go lower for a while."
"...The one who said true sword mastery comes from facing trials head-on. Now you're telling me to run?"
As per the gallery, Serpina urged retreat. I smiled faintly. My reflection showed in the dim glass—gallery users, Serpina included, were probably watching.
"It's that dangerous, I get it. But I won't run."
"Wh-what?!"
"Whatever comes, I'll fight it. That's my true path."
Assassination contracts aren't simple. Client requests Assassin Gallery constellations, who scout tower hitmen, lure them with rewards, and snipe the target. Complex and tough—which makes counter-killing their hitmen a solid counter. Those money-grubbing constellations won't cling to flops.
No wonder Jeong Chan-su's dominant faction dodged these. Trust me. I'll prove it again.
My confidence stemmed from the fan gallery's raw intel. I knew five were coming. Forewarned, even tough foes weren't impossible.